Staffordshire Bull Terrier

General Information - Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier shares the same ancestry as the Bull Terrier, i.e. Bulldog crossed with the Black and Tan terrier, and was developed as a fighting dog.
When the founder of the Bull Terrier James Hinks added other breeds like the Collie to change the head shape of that breed, devotees of the original type of bull terrier cross remained loyal to their preferred type.
Because of its early association with fighting it was, for some time, difficult to get recognition for the breed and it was not until the 1930’s that the Kennel Club recognised the breed. It carried the name Staffordshire as the breed was developed in the “black country” of Staffordshire and northern parts of Birmingham. Unlike other breeds it is shown traditionally in a broad leather collar ornamented with brass emblems, containing the Staffordshire Knot – as a tribute to its origins.
Despite its early function, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known as a wonderful family pet.

Temperament

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier appeared in the top 10 breeds MOST suitable for families and especially children in a report researched and published by Southampton University in 1996. This breed is highly intelligent, eager to please and very people friendly. It has a special empathy with children and it is for this it is best known. It adapts readily to most situations making it the foremost all purpose dog. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to house train.

Upkeep

Some members of this breed certainly have energy to burn. This energy can be satisfied by throwing a ball in the garden, walks in the fields or just whatever the owner chooses. Although the Stafford is capable of living outdoors in mild weather, it can be affected by cold and, more importantly, it is a dog that craves human contact: thus, it is far better suited as a housedog. Coat care is minimal.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Characteristics: From the past history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the modern dog draws his character of indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. This coupled with his affection for his friends and children in particular; his off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes him the foremost all:purpose dog.

General Appearance: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth coated dog. He should be of great strength for his size and although muscular, should be active and agile.

Head and Skull: Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, black nose.

Eyes: Dark preferable but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size and set to look straight ahead.

Ears: Rose or half:pricked and not large. Full drop or prick to be penalised.

Mouth: The mouth should be level, i.e. the incisors of the bottom jaw should fit closely inside the incisors of the top jaw and the lips should be tight and clean. The badly undershot or overshot mouth to be heavily penalised.

Neck: Muscular, rather short, clean in outline and gradually widening towards the shoulders.

Forequarters: Legs straight and well-boned, set rather wide apart, without looseness at the shoulders and showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point the feet turn out a little.

Body: The body should be close-coupled, with a level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well:sprung ribs and rather light in the loins.

Hindquarters: The hindquarters should be well-muscled, hocks let down with stifles well bent. Legs should be parallel when viewed from behind.

Feet: The feet should be well-padded, strong and of medium size.

Tail: The tail should be of medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. It should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.

Gait/movement: Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernable drive from hind legs.

Coat: Smooth, short and close to the skin.

Colour: Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and Tan or liver colour not to be encouraged.

Faults: To be penalised in accordance with the severity of the fault:

• Light eyes or pink eye-rims.
• Tail too long or badly curled.
• Non-conformation to the limits of weight or height.
• Full drop and prick ears.
• Undershot or overshot mouths.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.